This lesson discusses the interaction between hardware and software. It describes how software provides instructions to hardware to perform tasks, and how programmers develop software applications by writing code to implement algorithms. The lesson also distinguishes between application software, which helps users perform specific tasks, and system software, which manages computer resources and includes operating systems. Finally, it covers different methods for software distribution, such as licensing, updates, and alternative distribution models.

1. 1
Lesson 6
Software and Hardware Interaction
Computer Literacy
BASICS: A
Comprehensive Guide
to IC3, 3rd Edition
Morrison / Wells

2. Lesson 6
Objectives
 Identify how hardware and software interact.
 Explain how a software program works.
 Describe the difference between application
software and system software.
 Describe the software distribution process.
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3. Lesson 6
Vocabulary
 algorithm
 application software
 beta testing
 bundleware
 flowchart
 inputting
 network license
 operating systems
 patch
 service pack
 single-user license
 software
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4. Lesson 6
Vocabulary (continued)
 Software as a
Service (SaaS)
 software
development
 software license
 software piracy
 system software
 update
 upgrades
 Web applications
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5. Lesson 6
Introduction
 Over the last 50 years or so, computer
technology has changed the world.
 Because computers developed the capacity to
do many tasks very quickly, they now have a
major influence on the culture and economy.
 Computers have had such an impact due to the
vision and desire of software developers, who
created thousands of ideas and ways in which to
use computers.
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6. Lesson 6
How Hardware and Software
Interact
 Inputting is the
process of using
an input device
to enter data.
 You use input
devices to
interact with
software.
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7. Lesson 6
How Hardware and Software
Interact (continued)
 The Role of Software:
 Software is programming code written to
provide instructions to the hardware so it can
perform tasks.
 The way hardware and software interact as a
computer processes data allows us to use
the computer to complete many tasks.
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8. Lesson 6
How a Software Program Works
 A computer processes data by applying
rules called algorithms. An algorithm is a set
of clearly defined, logical steps that solve a
problem.
 A programmer writes an algorithm, rewrites
the steps in formal programming language,
and a specialized computer program
translates it to machine language that the
computer can understand.
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9. Lesson 6
Software Development
 Software development is a multistep process
that usually begins when someone recognizes
a need to perform a task more effectively
and/or efficiently using a computer.
 Often the programmer works out the logic for
the steps in the algorithm by using a flowchart
that shows different paths the program will
take depending on what data is inputted.
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10. Lesson 6
Software Development (continued)
 Flowchart
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11. Lesson 6
Software Development (continued)
 Next, the programmer writes code that uses a
formal set of terms and syntax. The computer
translates the code and executes the
commands.
 The quality control process involves running
systematic tests, debugging (finding and
correcting errors in the code), and beta
testing.
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12. Lesson 6
Application Software and System
Software
 Application software helps you perform a specific
task. System software refers to the operating system
and all utility programs that manage computer
resources at a low level.
 Application Software:
 Composed of programs designed for an end user,
also referred to as productivity software.
 Using Application Software:
 You can modify and apply rules to data.
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13. Lesson 6
Application Software and System
Software (continued)
 System Software:
 A group of programs that coordinate and
control the resources and operations of a
computer system.
 Operating Systems:
 Provide an interface between the user or
application program and the computer
hardware.
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14. Lesson 6
Application Software and System
Software (continued)
 Operating Systems (cont):
 Utilities and Language Translators:
 Programs that help to maintain computer hardware or
other software.
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15. Lesson 6
Software Distribution
 Software and software licensing options are
available through a variety of alternatives and
distribution methods.
 Software Licensing:
 When you purchase a software program, you are
purchasing a software license that gives you
permission to use the program.
 This single-user license gives you the right to
install the software on a single computer.
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16. Lesson 6
Software Distribution (continued)
 Software Licensing (cont):
 A network license gives an organization the
right to install a program on a server which
can be accessed by a specific number of
computers.
 Software as a Service (SaaS) is a recently
developed software delivery method where an
application is licensed for use as a service.
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17. Lesson 6
Software Distribution (continued)
 Updating and Upgrading Software:
 Fixes are called a patch, an update, or a
service pack and are applied over software
that you already have installed.
 Upgrades are revised versions of a software
program and require the purchase of a newer
version of the software.
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18. Lesson 6
Software Distribution (continued)
 Updating and
Upgrading Software
(cont):
 Web applications are
without platform
constraints or
installation
requirements and are
accessed through a
Web browser.
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19. Lesson 6
Software Distribution (continued)
 Alternative Methods of Software
Distribution:
– Open source: Available to public without cost and
can be modified and redistributed.
– Freeware: Given away by author, who retains
copyright.
– Shareware: Downloadable, pay after trial basis.
– Bundleware: Software included with new computer.
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20. Lesson 6
Software Distribution (continued)
 Alternative Methods of Software Distribution
(cont):
 It is the responsibility of the user to verify and
use only legitimately licensed software.
 A network manager must verify that the product
is used and distributed within the terms of the
license.
 Software piracy is the unauthorized copying of
software.
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21. Lesson 6
Summary
In this lesson, you learned:
 Hardware refers to anything you can touch, including objects
such as the keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, chips, disk
drives, and CD/DVD recorders. Inputting refers to using an
input device to enter data.
 Software is programming code written to provide instructions to
the hardware so that you can perform specific tasks. Using
input devices, you interact with the software by typing
commands, selecting an option from a menu, or clicking a
button for example.
 Hardware and software interact as a computer processes data.
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22. Lesson 6
Summary (continued)
 A computer processes data by applying rules called
algorithms, which are sets of clearly defined, logical steps
that solve a problem.
 Software development usually begins when someone
recognizes a need to perform a task more effectively
using a computer. The programmer breaks down the task
into an algorithm that covers all the actions needed to
perform the task. The programmer often works out the
logic for the steps in the algorithm by using a flowchart
that shows different paths the program will take
depending on what data is inputted.
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23. Lesson 6
Summary (continued)
 The programmer writes the steps in a computer
programming language or code that uses a formal set
of terms and syntax, or rules for how the words are
used together. The computer translates the code into
language it can understand, and uses the translated
commands to execute the program.
 Software development also requires quality control,
which involves running systematic tests, debugging
(finding and correcting errors in the code), and beta
testing.
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24. Lesson 6
Summary (continued)
 The two types of software are application software and system
software. Application software helps you perform a specific
task. System software refers to the operating system and all
utility programs that manage computer resources at a low level.
 Operating systems provide an interface between the user or
application program and the computer hardware.
 When you purchase a software program, you are purchasing a
software license that gives you permission to use the program.
A single-user license gives you the right to install the software
on a single computer. Organizations using networks can
purchase network licenses.
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25. Lesson 6
Summary (continued)
 Software as a Service (SaaS), is a recent software
delivery method where an application is licensed for use
as a service. The software is provided to customers on
demand through the Internet, an intranet, or local
network.
 A software update is a fix called a patch, an update, or a
service pack. A software patch is applied over software
that you already have installed.
 Software upgrades are revised versions of a software
program and require the purchase of a newer version of
the software.
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26. Lesson 6
Summary (continued)
 Web applications do not have platform
constraints or installation requirements and are
accessed through a Web browser over a
network such as an intranet or the Internet.
Common Web applications include Web mail
and online calendars.
 Alternative methods of software distribution
include open source, freeware, shareware, and
bundleware.
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